State Fair Community College will recognize Patricia “Patty” Wood of La Monte as the 2023 Distinguished Alumni.

Wood has served on SFCC’s Board of Trustees since 2012 and currently is president of the board. She will be the keynote speaker for SFCC’s general commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday, May 19, in the Mathewson Exhibition Center on the Missouri State Fair Grounds. A reception for Wood will be held at 3:30 p.m. on May 19, in the Daum Museum’s reception area on the Sedalia campus. The public is invited to attend.

Wood graduated from State Fair Community College in 1972 with an Associate of Arts degree. Later she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1974, a Master of Science in Education in 1998, and additional hours towards a Specialist Degree, all from the University of Central Missouri. Her 32-year career in education includes pre-K and elementary teaching, K-12 Library Media Specialist and Technology Coordinator at Pettis County R-V and Sedalia school districts. She is a member of the Missouri Retired Teacher Association.

Wood attributes her success to the educational foundation she received at SFCC. She serves on the SFCC Foundation Campaign Committee and is helping to raise funds for a new advanced agriculture and transportation technology center. Additionally, Wood has served on other committees including SFCC’s 25th , 40th and 50th anniversary celebrations.